I was watching at TV show about an investigation into an air crash. The findings revealed that the crew were so busy reading their charts they were not aware that their plane was flying toward a mountain range. The findings said they lacked situational awareness. They were so focused on one task that they lost the big picture of what was happening to the plane – and it ended in disaster with many lives lost.

A few hours later I was watching a medical documentary about emergency surgical procedures. A woman had surgery for a straight forward procedure and the surgical team had difficulty inserting the tubing for her to breathe. A re-enactment of the procedure showed how four or five medical professionals became increasingly stressed to the point they lost their situational awareness and the patient was starved of oxygen and went into a coma – she died days later. There were alternative options open to the surgeons but they were so focused on fixing the problem they couldn’t see what was obvious to a non-medical observer.

The medical presenter coincidentally visited a flight training centre to see how they deal with similar situations of extreme pressure. He also visited a training centre for fire-fighters where decisions have to be made quickly while taking note of the overall scene and the details within each situation.

As I reflected on these situations I wondered how it is similar and how it differs from mindfulness. I see mindfulness as being fully aware of what is going on around me and within me at the same time. It is different to a narrow-minded focus – it is not driven or under pressure.

I like the words, situational awareness and think it is worth reflecting on this occasionally as we go about our daily activities. It is so easy to get caught up in one thing and neglect others at the same time. Something to think about …

Western Australia has two teams in the Australian Football League (AFL) – West Coast Eagles (my team) and the Fremantle Dockers. The Dockers made it to today’s Grand Final (you may have already worked that out!) but the Eagles didn’t have a very good year.

Unfortunately the Dockers were beaten by Hawthorn (Hawks) but they put up a good fight. Maybe next year?

This week we had a short break at a Farm Stay in Ferguson Valley – about one hour’s drive from home. It is situated just down the road from Gnomesville. Last year Gnomesville received international attention with the following article on NBC News – NBC News Gnomesville Massacre.

Vandals smashed their way through this special little community – heads were broken off and several gnomes were smashed. The State Emergency Service Volunteer President spoke to the media about this tragic event.

A few years before the massacre, a local Ferguson Valley woman saw the first gnome appear out of nowhere. At this time the locals were very concerned about changes to the road layout and many protested against the changes. That’s when the gnome population greatly increased and joined their silent protest about the road changes. Today a roundabout manages the traffic at the intersection and it is said that the gnomes love to go round and round! Read the history of Gnomesville on their website.

I can share some photos I took this week. Word has spread that it is bad luck to injure a gnome and they are receiving more respect from visitors now 🙂

Robert Peter – my brothers’ names are Robert and Peter and my Uncle’s name was Peter Roy. My son’s Dad, Grandfather and Great Grandfather and so forth were all called Robert. I also have a nephew called Robert. We called Robert by his second name, Peter, for some time before reverting back to Robert.

Andrew Joseph – My Grandfather’s name was Joseph. We found Andrew’s name in the Bible as being Peter’s brother. And it is a good Scottish name following his father’s ancestry.

Joel Stephen – the Bible again! Joel comes from the prophet Joel in the Old Testament. Stephen is in the New Testament and gives life to Joel’s prophesy.

Daily Post Challenge – We all have things we need to do to keep an even keel — blogging, exercising, reading, cooking. Well, what do you do when things don’t go as you hoped or if you hit the proverbially wall?

For me, I do the following:

take one hour at a time and plan what I want to do in that hour. If things are really bad I might break it down to the next fifteen minutes

if I have to face someone when feeling at rock bottom I remember my former boss’s advice – smile and keep breathing – no-one will notice what you are feeling inside

do a mind map – or more appropriately, a mind dump. I get a sheet of paper and write down everything that is going on in my head. I might then lump them together in categories, allocate a level of importance, or ask myself what I CAN change and what I CAN’T. If I can’t change something I decide to try acceptance and move on.

seek out nature – the beach, forest, parkland or similar – very calming and good for the soul

reflect on my past achievements – write them down if that might help me feel better

think about what has gone well in my life – today and in the past – make a list

think about someone else and decide to do something for them with a compassionate heart – it alters the way I feel about myself

consider how this current situation will impact on me in the future – one year; two years; five years and so forth – that can help get things into perspective

if none of the above work there is always the option of snuggling up in my bed and feeling the warmth and comfort of some time out

There are probably hundreds of different ways to deal with being ‘on the edge’. I would love to hear what works for you.